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A Llamas

Publications and source records attributed to A Llamas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Risk factor prevalence and drug treatment in coronary patients at hospital discharge. Results of a national multicenter registry (3C Program)].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Based on the results of clinical trials the guidelines of international societies recommend secondary prevention in patients. Several surveys have shown that the application of these guidelines in clinical practice is not adequate. The aim of this study was to determine the practical application of the recommendations of these guidelines and drug prescription in patients with coronary heart disease on hospital discharge. METHODS: We included 3,215 coronary patients (myocardial infarction, angina and post-revascularization) discharged from 25 Spanish hospitals. We studied the prevalence of risk factors and the medical treatment on discharge in relation to gender, age, and clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: We found a significantly higher prevalence of risk factors, except for smoking, in women. With regards to age and diagnosis neither was, the prevalence uniform, with an increase in hypertension and diabetes being predominantly seen in the elderly as well as angina patients. Fifty-six point three percent of the patients showed a total cholesterol greater than 200 mg/dl and 88% demonstrated a LDL-cholesterol greater than 100 mg/dl. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and low HDL was higher among women. The prescription of betablockers and lipid-lowering drugs is low, especially in women and in patients over the age of 64 years. CONCLUSIONS: The registry of data concerning some risk factors in patient clinical files is poor. The prevalence of risk factors is higher in women. The prescription of betablockers and lipid-lowering drugs was lower than recommended, mainly among women and patients older than 64 years. There is a need for improvement in secondary prevention in coronary patients on hospital discharge.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Cortical connections of the insular and adjacent parieto-temporal fields in the cat.

We present a comprehensive analysis of the cortical connections of the insular and adjacent cortical areas in the domestic cat by using microinjections of wheat-germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. We examined the identity and extent of the cortical fields connected to each area, the relative anatomical weights of the various connections, their laminar origin, and their paths across the cerebral commissures. Our main finding is that despite their relatively small size and close apposition, the connections of the insular and adjacent areas are far more widespread and more specific to each area than previously realized, suggesting that each area is involved in disparate aspects of cortical integration. The granular insular area is linked to a constellation of somatosensory, motor, premotor and prefrontal districts. The dysgranular insular area is chiefly associated with lateral prefrontal and premotor, lateral somatosensory and perirhinal cortices. The dorsal agranular insular area is connected with limbic neocortical fields, while the ventral agranular insular area is associated with an array of olfactory allocortical fields. The anterior sylvian area is associated with visual, auditory and multimodal areas, with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and with perirhinal area 36. The parainsular area is linked to non-tonotopic auditory and ventromedial frontal areas. Trajectories followed by the callosal axons of each of the investigated areas are extremely divergent. As a whole, the picture of the insular region that emerges from this and a parallel study (Clascá et al., J Comp Neurol 384:456-482, 1997) is that of an extreme heterogeneity, both in terms of histological architecture and neural connections. Comparison with earlier published reports on primates suggests that most, but not all, of the areas we investigated in cats may have an direct counterpart within the insula of Old World monkeys.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1997

Insular cortex and neighboring fields in the cat: a redefinition based on cortical microarchitecture and connections with the thalamus.

The insular areas of the cerebral cortex in carnivores remain vaguely defined and fragmentarily characterized. We have examined the cortical microarchitecture and thalamic connections of the insular region in cats, as a part of a broader study aimed to clarify their subdivisions, functional affiliations, and eventual similarities with other mammals. We report that cortical areas, which resemble the insular fields of other mammals, are located in the cat's orbital gyrus and anterior rhinal sulcus. Our data suggest four such areas: (a) a "ventral agranular insular area" in the lower bank of the anterior rhinal sulcus, architectonically transitional between iso- and allocortex and sparsely connected to the thalamus, mainly with midline nuclei; (b) a "dorsal agranular insular area" in the upper bank of the anterior rhinal sulcus, linked to the mediodorsal, ventromedial, parafascicular and midline nuclei; (c) a "dysgranular insular area" in the anteroventral half of the orbital gyrus, characterized by its connections with gustatory and viscerosensory portions of the ventroposterior complex and with the ventrolateral nucleus; and (d) a "granular insular area", dorsocaudal in the orbital gyrus, which is chiefly bound to spinothalamic-recipient thalamic nuclei such as the posterior medial and the ventroposterior inferior. Three further fields are situated caudally to the insular areas. The anterior sylvian gyrus and dorsal lip of the pseudosylvian sulcus, which we designate "anterior sylvian area", is connected to the ventromedial, suprageniculate, and lateralis medialis nuclei. The fundus and ventral bank of the pseudosylvian sulcus, or "parainsular area", is associated with caudal portions of the medial geniculate complex. The rostral part of the ventral bank of the anterior ectosylvian sulcus, referred to as "ventral anterior ectosylvian area", is heavily interconnected with the lateral posterior-pulvinar complex and the ventromedial nucleus. Present results reveal that these areas interact with a wide array of sensory, motor, and limbic thalamic nuclei. In addition, these data provide a consistent basis for comparisons with cortical fields in other mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Innervation from the claustrum of the frontal association and motor areas: axonal transport studies in the cat.

The anatomical organization of the projections from the claustrum to the motor and prefrontal cortical areas of the cat's brain was investigated. Both retrograde (single horseradish peroxidase or double fluorochrome deposits in the cortex) and anterograde (peroxidase-labeled wheat germ agglutinin deposits in the claustrum) tracing techniques were used. Within the claustrum, the neurons projecting to each sector of the frontal cortex were found to be distributed according to specific patterns of segregation and overlap. Spatial segregation was particularly marked between the cell populations projecting to the various sectors of area 4. The cells projecting to the subareas of area 6 and prefrontal cortex displayed a less marked but definite segregation. The neuronal populations projecting to some sectors of areas 4, 5, and the primary somatosensory cortex known to contain homotopical representations of the body map were found intermingled in the same small claustral portions. The few double-labeled neurons found after closely adjacent fluorochrome injections indicates that, in spite of their profuse intracortical branching, claustral axons spread little within the boundaries of a single architectonic area. Anterograde transport experiments showed that claustral fibers end primarily in layers IIIb/IV, VI, and I, whereas layer V is spared. This pattern is homogeneous throughout the frontal cortex. The possible role of the claustrum as a subcortical site for organized interactions amongst wide arrays of functionally related zones of the cerebral cortex is thereby suggested.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty. Immediate results with the 30 mm diameter dilatation balloon].

Percutaneous balloon dilatation of the mitral valve is a promising alternative to surgical treatment for patients with mitral stenosis. We analysed echocardiographic and haemodynamic results in 62 consecutive patients who underwent mitral dilatation with a big and one chamber balloon (30 mm diameter). The relationship between the dilatation balloon area and body surface was 4.2 (in 98% of patients it was bigger than 3.5). In the whole series we get significant improvements in the haemodynamic parameters and mitral areas (0.91 cm2 versus 1.78 cm2)(p < 0.005). According to the echocardiographic score, patients were divided in two groups. Good results (mitral area > 1.5 cm2, and final, valve area 50% greater than the initial area), were obtained in 93% of patients with a score of 8 or less, and in 45% of patients with a score bigger than 8. Seventy-five percent of patients with bad results (mitral area < 1.5 cm2) were in atrial fibrillation versus 37% of patients where we get a good results. Mortality of procedure was nulle, and two patients required surgery because of procedure failure for mitral insufficiency. We can conclude: percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with single balloon is valid alternative, and good results can be expected if there is a good relationship between the area of balloon and patient's body-surface. The echocardiographic score and presence of atrial fibrillation can predict immediate results of this technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Hypothalamic connections of the insular cortex in the cat.

We have investigated the anatomical organization of the connections between the hypothalamus and the insular cortex of the cat by using retrograde and anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase-wheat germ agglutinin. The rostroventral sectors of the insular cortex are strongly interconnected with the supramammillary and caudal lateral hypothalamic areas. The possible relationship of these connections with the well-known participation of the insular cortex in visceral and autonomic integration is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Amygdaloid innervation of the frontal cortex in cats].

The amygdaloid complex has been reported to innervate the frontal cortex (prefrontal, premotor and motor cortex) in a variety of mammal species. We have investigated the topographic and laminar distribution of such projections in the cat by using anterograde and retrograde axonal transport of HRP and WGA-HRP. Premotor and medial prefrontal cortices, receive abundant projections from the basal magnocellular amygdaloid nucleus, while rostrolateral prefrontal or caudodorsal motor cortices are almost spared by amygdaloid projections. Striking differences are observed in the laminar patterns of distribution of amygdaloid axons in the various frontal areas. This selective areal and laminar distribution may entail noticeable functional dissimilarities. Possible roles of these neural networks and the concept of "limbic cortex" are discussed in view of these findings.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1987

General plan of the thalamic projections to the prefrontal cortex in the cat.

This study elucidates the general pattern of the thalamocortical neurons which project to the prefrontal cortex (PfC) in the cat, on the basis of the findings obtained using different retrograde labeling techniques in a large number of animals. The injections of the retrograde tracers covered the whole extent of the PfC, and did not invade gray or white matter outside the intended targets. The labeled neurons formed a vertical paramedian band throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the thalamus. This band was densest at the mediodorsal and ventromedial nuclei regions, encroached upon neurons located more medially and laterally, and largely spared the intralaminar nuclei. There were overlaps between neuron populations projecting to different subdivisions of the PfC, or to the PfC and sectors of the motor, insular, limbic and anterior ectosylvian sulcus cortices. However, these projections to separate cortical subdivisions apparently arise from different neuron clusters, with little collateralization of the axons arising from a single thalamocortical neuron. Only the neurons of the ventromedial nucleus, seem to possess somewhat more widespread terminal axons in the cortex.

Amidines↗
PubMed1985

Amygdaloid projections to the motor, premotor and prefrontal areas of the cat's cerebral cortex: a topographical study using retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase.

The topographic organization of the projections from the amygdaloid complex to the frontal (motor, premotor and prefrontal) cortex has been investigated in the cat by means of the horseradish peroxidase retrograde transport technique. While most of these projections arise from the magnocellular component of the basal nucleus, some arise also from other nuclei, such as the parvocellular basal nucleus, the corticoamygdaloid transition area and the cortical nucleus. The projections from the latter nuclei are directed to the central portions of the prefrontal cortex, both laterally and medially. No clear-cut topographic segregation appeared to exist in the distribution within the magnocellular basal nucleus of the cells of origin of projections to the motor, premotor and prefrontal cortex. The gross topographic arrangement of the amygdalocortical projections seems to reciprocate, to some extent at least, the organization of corticoamygdaloid projections from high-order sensory and polymodal association areas.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1983

Allocortical afferent connections of the prefrontal cortex in the cat.

Afferent connections of the prefrontal cortex of the cat arising in allocortical regions have been investigated using the horseradish peroxidase retrograde transport technique. Our results demonstrate the existence of projections from the olfactory peduncle, anterior and posterior prepiriform cortices, cortico-amygdaloid transition area, entorhinal cortex, ventral, caudal and dorsal subiculum and postsubiculum to the prefrontal cortex.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1982

[Late complications of mechanical and biological prostheses. Comparative study].

The late clinical complications subsequent to cardiac valvular surgery were studied in 150 patients in a period covering from January 1976, to December 1981. Mechanical prosthesis were used in 99 patients and biological in 51. Mortality, thromboembolic events, and haemorrhages, were all considerably higher in patients submitted to mechanical than biological prosthesis, whereas the periprosthetic leaks were more often observed in cases with biological prosthesis. With regard to other complications, such as infectious endocarditis, postperfusion and postpericardiotomy syndromes, etc., as well as the surgery definitive results, appreciable differences were not found. This, we can conclude that any of all now available prosthesis, is free of complications, and the election of a particular prosthesis (mechanical or biological) must probably be individualized for each particular patient.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Amygdaloid projections to prefrontal and motor cortex.

Direct projections from the amygdala to the entire frontal cortex were demonstrated in the cat using the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. Injections throughout the prefrontal cortex labeled neurons in the ipsilateral basal magnocellular amygdaloid nucleus; injections in the premotor and motor cortices labeled neurons in the same nucleus plus a few cells in the anterior amygdaloid area.

Afferent Pathways↗